Bisate Lodge - Rwanda
High-end ecotourism lodges that contribute to the pioneering vision of reforestation and community partnership in the Volcanoes National Park
Rwanda is somewhere I would love to go and see the endangered Gorillas. Also knowing that my stay would be helping the pioneering community partnerships to save the habitat they live in - a win win for me.
Bisate Lodge is situated in an eroded volcanic cone with six forest eco-sensitive lodges that are within an easy drive of the Park headquarters, from where all day treks depart to see the Gorilla's.
The aim of these high-end ecotourism lodges is to make the lightest impact on the surrounding environment and helps the local communities preserve the natural habitat. This is also to give the traveler a different perspective of the planet and to inspire change in their own lives for the better.
Best time to go is in the driest seasons of May to October as it is easier to track the Gorilla's. April is the wettest month of the year, however, when you awake it creates beautiful misty morning views and makes the area look very magical. This is also one of the best tree-planting months and with fewer guests the employees help plant - from the on-site nursery and greenhouse - 5905 indigenous trees. The total number of trees planted in the area is a staggering 51,411 so far!
There are only six lodges,a very exclusive experience shared with a few other travelers.
The accommodation and restaurant offers amazing views of the distance peaks of Bisoke, Karisimbi and Mikeno volcanoes, that are surrounded by rainforests below. The food served in the restaurant is grown in the organic garden outside the "day lounge" or sourced from the surrounding local community.
The Gorilla trek is a one hour "must see" lifetime experience which has controlled access and requires a permit. A full day guided walking tour to the top of the Bisoke volcano (3711m) is worth the trek to see the unique crater lake.
There is an abundance of other nature to see from golden monkeys, buffalo, elephant, Egyptian mongoose to name a few. There are also 178 bird species with thirteen only found in this area of the world.
Every guest is invited to participate in the biodiversity conservation efforts and engage with the local community to make a positive impact. Guests help community projects like the Ejo Heza Nursery School that recently required hygienic supplies (face masks, etc.) and desks and mats to play on.
The children are part of the Wilderness Eco-Club at Bisate Primary School. They are educated to become ambassadors of the local area and educate their parents about the important work that is being carried out. They get involved with community projects such as preparing 2000 avocado seeds for germination that will be distributed for planting in the surrounding community.
These camps can als be found in another seven countries of Africa, which is helping to protect 2.5 million hectares of wilderness land that is home to birds, mammals, and reptiles including 33 species on the red list of threatened species.
Take a look: https://wilderness-safaris.com/
